Overview
- The pass was presented on Oct. 16 to Wilde’s grandson, Merlin Holland, at a British Library event tied to the launch of his book After Oscar.
- Wilde’s access to the British Museum Reading Room was cancelled in 1895 following his conviction for "gross indecency" under the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885.
- Holland called the restitution "a lovely gesture of forgiveness" and noted Wilde likely did not know about the cancellation while he was in prison.
- British Library chair Dame Carol Black said the tribute aims to honor Wilde’s legacy and recognize the suffering caused by his conviction.
- The gesture is symbolic rather than a legal exoneration, and the Library holds key Wilde materials including De Profundis and manuscripts of major plays.